Toilets, Sinks, Showers, Tubs and Disposals - compression ring removal

i have a wall sink i'd like to reomove. i want to panel the wall behind it. the valves below are attached to 1/2 inch copper pipes with a compression ring and nut, and a flange up against the hole in the existing wall. i want to remove the 2" flange, so i need to remove the nut and compression ring. the compression ring is stuck on the copper pipe is there a good way to remove it? do just i cut the pipe? problem is theres not much length there. maybe i need to just leave the 2" flange on, go over it with the new paneling, and find something flexible to cover where the holes in the paneling are and fits between the paneling and flange, like maybe a square piece of plastic.


thanx

You'll never remove a compression ferrule without damaging the copper enough that you'll have to cut it to replace the ferrule once you're done with your project so might as well cut and plan on replacing the ferrule or as you mentioned leave the nut and ferrule on and panel around it.

I'm assuming your flanges are not the split type.

true , there not the split type. ya, i'll just panel around them and maybe use some spackle or something to dress it up.

thanx

By flange, do you mean the escuchion plate (soft metal trimwork to hide the initial hole in the wall)? If so... you can cut it off with tin snips - and replace it with a split type.

I have removed compression rings successfully - but it takes careful work with a fine bladed hacksaw blade to avoid messing up the copper pipe. I cut through it in one spot and remove the ring - Then cut the copper pipe about 1/4 inch shorter so the new ring doesn't hit the same spot as the old one.

ya, escuchion plate. i'll just push them back so there behind the paneling, inside the wall, then install the split type plates to hide the holes.

thanx for the help

You can purchase an inexpensive compression ring puller tool at any hardware or home store. IF the nut was not overtightened on first installation, you can usually remove the ring and install a new valve with a new ring. This is done all the time.

The solid escutcheons look much more attractive than the split rings.
The fall back if the pipe is short and is dimpled too much for a new ring to seal, is to sweat a 1/2" male adapter onto it and use an IPS valve. In this case, you may have to use a split escutcheon to keep it all close to the wall.